BigSweetie’s TMA Blog

a wallaby?! in Perthshire?! in winter?!

For the second day on the trot I set out to work off some Christmas cheer, this time heading west for Comrie. The family were having a little get together at my grandparents' in Crieff, so the idea was to get some stone-related cycling in, then head there.

A late night last night had put an end to the plan to leave before dawn, so I set off at a much more reasonable 11:30, the bike still in the back of the car from yesterday, stopping at the Broxden services for petrol and provisions. Driving out on the A85, I passed the cairn and it's standing stone at New Fowlis, which I'd decided to save for a return trip to Fowlis Wester. On through Crieff I went, until I reached the standing stone at Lawers, two thirds of the way to Comrie. Parking at the layby just beyond it, I walked back and had a quick blether with the very friendly equine residents of the field before jumping the fence to get a better look at this big stone.

Back in the car, I continued on my way to Comrie, parking at the car park beside the school, where I assembled my bike, and added to the layers of clothing I was already wearing. A freezing wind was rushing down the River Earn from Ben Vorlich's snow-capped peak, which made the going tough as I set off for the remains of a stone circle at Wester Tullybannocher. After stopping to take a few photos, I didn't hang around long at this very exposed site, and struggled on to the Dalchonzie turn-off.

It was still cold, but the wind behind me made the ride back much easier as I followed the Earn down to Comrie. Crossing the river into the "suburb" of Dalginross, I made my way to the "Roman Stone" close to West Cowden Farm. Several standing stones around here have been attributed to the Romans in the past, presumably by those believing the Romans brought us civilisation!

Continuing along the B827, there was a fantastic view over Cultybraggan camp to Glen Artney ahead of me, the snow-covered peaks set against a crisp blue sky. Next stop was Auchingarrich wildlife centre. On the long climb up the track to the park I passed the wallaby enclosure, which contained a pair of wallabies looking none too amused by the temperature. Stopping in the car park to look at a large sign showing a map of the centre, I couldn't figure out where the standing stone was. According to my OS map it should've been right here. As I walked away to find someone, I realised it was right behind the sign! This is a huge stone standing on a large mound, spoiled only slightly by the covered walkway behind it, which provides protection from the elements for people looking at the chickens.

I cycled back down to the main road, stopping on the way to take some photos of the none-too-distant wintry mountains. And I also stopped at the bottom to have my sandwiches and crack open the thermos, much to the amusement of passing motorists - sitting on a wall in sub-zero conditions having a picnic. My fingers began to freeze as soon as I took my gloves off, and the Snickers bar that had been in an outside pocket of my rucsac was actually frozen - I couldn't bite into it, and when I tried to break a piece off, the caramel snapped clean off! Who needs a Snickers ice cream when you live in Perthshire?!

I thought about continuing on a wee bit further to the stones at Dunruchan and Dalchirla, but by now the temperature was beyond a joke, and I turned back for Comrie. In the car park out of the worst of the wind, I took the gloves off and poured myself a cup of tea to defrost my fingers before trying to get the wheels off my bike. With the bike safely stowed in the back of the car, and the heater on full blast, I re-traced my steps past Auchingarrich, then drove to Dunruchan. I must confess that the heat inside and the wind that was buffeting the car conspired to make me drive on past with thoughts of returning in summer for these stones.

By this time I was dreaming of the warmth I would find in my grandparents' house, and so I drove on past Dalchirla, Concraig and Dargill without stopping. Looks like I could well be back over here next week, only after I've warmed up though!

Visited here today on a bitterly cold day. The Roman Stone - the big one, as Mr Brand mentions below - leans at an alarming angle over it's smaller neighbours. The cup-marks on the flat stone are quite shallow, but very obvious nonetheless.

The name Roman Stone presumably comes from the fact that in the field nearby was a Roman camp.

Historic Scotland lists this as the remains of a stone circle, but as Fred Coles pointed out in 1911, there is a lack of any evidence to suggest that these stones ever formed part of a circle.

Directions - head west from Perth on the A85 for Crieff. Keep going straight into the centre of Crieff, and as you start to go down the steep hill, take the right turn (signposted A85 Lochearnhead, I think). Keep going on the A85 for about 7 miles and you will reach Comrie. In the centre of Comrie you will see a turn off to the left over the river, signposted "Wildlife Centre" amongst other things. Head down here to the bottom of the village, where you follow the road round a sharp right turn to leave the village. About 200m outside the village the Roman Stone is clearly visible by the road, on your left next to a sign for the footpath to Muirend.

This was definitely a circle rather than a pair. Four stones were originally marked on the old OS map, and when Fred Coles visited in 1911, he was told that up until around 17 years previously, three stones had still been standing. The third then fell, and the farmer dragged it away.

The site now consists of the two remaining stones standing approximately 6m apart on the circumference of a circle that appears to have been cleared - the surrounding land is rough and overgrown with long yellow grass, while within this circle is smooth ground, with short green grass.

Directions - head west from Perth on the A85, right through Crieff and Comrie. Approximately a mile outside Comrie, you will see a sign for Twenty Shilling Wood caravan park to your right. Carry on round the next corner, and you will see a double-gate into a field on your right, with the stones visible in the field. There's space to park by the gates.

I visited here today, and met the horses that Mr Brand mention below. They behaved themselves with me though - I asked them to stand in the top corner of the field so that they wouldn't be in any of my photos, and they duly obliged. A lovely pair of horses!

But back to the stone. It stands on a very slight mound, and what appears to be a few packing stones can be seen at it's base poking through the grass. Fred Coles described this in 1910 as the last remaining stone of a stone circle, although he didn't offer any reasons as to why he thought there were more stones originally.

Directions - head W from Perth on the A85 through Crieff towards Comrie. Approximately 4 miles after Crieff, not long after the signs for the Braincroft Bunkhouse, you will see a long thin field on your left, flanked on either side by an avenue of large trees. The standing stone is clearly visible 100m into the field, on the left hand side, close to a small wooden stable. Carry on past the field, and you will come to a layby you can park in, and walk back to the field. The easiest way in, without disturbing the horses, is to head to the left edge of the field boundary wall, and climb over the wooden fence. There is a fence within a fence here, so walk down through the trees until you are level with the stone, then hop over the inner fence to get to the stone.

Visited here on a cold winter's day today. The stone stands next to the shop and café of the Auchingarrich wildlife centre, on an obvious round mound which looks like it could be artificial, or at least an artificially-enhanced natural knoll. Some large stones, which may actually be bedrock, can be seen poking through the grass at the side.

The stone itself is huge at 8' 7" tall, and is certainly an impressive specimen, rising from the centre of the mound. It commands good views of the surrounding area, and stands at a height of 450 feet above sea level.

Directions - head west from Perth on the A85, passing through Crieff towards Comrie. In Comrie, turn left over Dalginross Bridge (where there's a sign for "Wildlife Centre"). Continue on to the bottom of the village and follow the road round a sharp turn to the right. After approximately 1 mile there is a road off to the right signposted Cultybraggan, but continue straight on here, following the sign for "Wildlife Centre" again. After another half mile, Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre is on your left - you can't miss it, huge sign! Follow the steep track (suitable for cars) up to the centre's car park. The stone is to the right of the shop and café building - ask permission in here.